Man charged from crash that killed 4-year-old

WOODSTOCK – Driving under the influence charges have been filed against a New Lenox man involved in a September crash that left a 4-year-old girl dead.

Leonardo R. Martinez, 43, of 661 Edgewater Court, is charged with three separate counts of driving under the influence in connection with the Sept. 2 crash that killed Daniela F. Gomez. According to the criminal complaint, Martinez was under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine. Deputy Aimee Knop of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that the charges were issued after lab results came back.

The crash occurred about 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 176 and Millstream Road in Seneca Township near Marengo.

According to the sheriff’s office, Martinez was driving a 2011 Infiniti QX56 south on Millstream Road when he failed to stop. His vehicle collided with a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been traveling west on Route 176.

Both vehicles left the southwest corner of the intersection, hit a guardrail and came to a rest.

Martinez and his 34-year-old passenger were taken to the hospital for minor injuries, while a 5-year-old passenger was treated at the scene.

The driver of the Jeep, Francisco Gomez, refused medical treatment, while a 33-year-old and a 1-year-old passenger were treated for minor injuries. The child who died was a passenger in the Jeep.

Martinez was arrested Friday and posted bond shortly after. Other charges against him include failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to use due care, both of which are petty offenses.

The most serious charge against him is a Class 2 felony, typically punishable by between three and seven years in prison.